The Loremasters

Introduction

Those who choose to become a Loremaster tend to be the creators, the makers and the practical folk. The profession learns the skills of forging armour and weapons, of creating magical items, of fashioning runes of power, and of mixing up elixirs of enchantment. Alchemists are not combat orientated, though many are brave. They have no particular alignment, no group morality or ideals. An Alchemist is an individual craftsman trained in specific arts of creation. They provide services for the other guilds, earn gold and fortify their friends from harm. The wise know that the friendship of an Alchemist can prove the difference between life and death, for the creations of an Alchemist can enormously enhance strength and harm ones enemies.

The Guild of Loremasters was founded under the patronage of the goddess of wisdom late in the seventh century. Their home has always been in the city of Thakria. Their founding guildmaster was Raghallach the Golden, ably aided by Davros Bloodaxe. Davros, it was, who led the Loremasters into prosperity and under his guidance, the guild has become strong and surpassed its sister Guild in Mercinae as the foremost source of magical items, potions and runes. Loremasters tend to be members of the Thakrian society and their guildmaster has traditionally found themselves a place on the council of leadership which governs the city. Over the years the Loremasters and the Alchemists Guild have built up a steady friendship, despite the often volatile relations of Mercinae and Thakria. Such an alliance has proven fruitful, and those considering the Alchemists or the Loremasters should realise that members of this profession will be exposed much less to the danger found in other, more battle-orientated roles.

Words from Raghallach, the first guildmaster

Independence was the goal of the Loremasters Guild founding fathers and should you wish to join the guild it should also be your goal. Independence from alignment, from political constraint, from pressure to conform to a city's narrow outlook. The Loremaster should profit from all-comers.

Words from Lavoel, the current guildmaster

You return home from the fields of battle once again, and slam the heavy oaken door shut behind you. Your gem-spangled robes whisper about you as you lean your staff of lore to one side, and sit before your desk of alchemy.

Pouring the last few drops of a sparkling potion down your throat, you rest the empty bottle in front of you on the desk. Reaching into the folds of your robes, you pull out a couple of pouches and begin to pour the spicy contents into the bottle, a s mell of brimstone filling the air about you. Adding a drop or two of viscous essence, you smile wryly as the sparkling liquid reforms itself in the bottle.

You look beside you. A few delicate files lie in disarray, around a tiny, but magnificent silver rune, carved into the effigy of a tightly clenched fist. You hide the rune within the folds of your robe - one enemy will succumb to its mystical effects tonight. You also pick up, and slip on a thin golden ring. It appears plain and simple, but only minutes before did you charge it with a powerful magical incantation to aid you in the face of adversity.

You stand, and leave the hall, the heat of the nearby furnace warming your skin briefly. Outside you hear the cries of the Thakrians for your name, for they need your assistance - they need a Loremaster.

Guild Specialist Skills

Location

Head east from Thakria Square onto the western end of Emperors Walk. The Loremasters Guild is to be found there, just to the north.